Locking device



Dec. 13, 1938. H WHHE 2,140,066

LOCKING DEVIC E Filed Oct. 27, 1937 Patented Dec. 13, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application October 2'7,

8 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to locking devices, and more in particular to a detachable or portable device of this nature, which can be conveniently used to lock doors, showcases, drawers, and the like, which are not ordinarily provided with looks, or in which the looks have become broken or defective.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved locking device of this character which is simple in construction and cheap to manufacture and which is adaptable to a large variety of situations where a temporary lock is required.

The invention and various features thereof will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 shows the complete locking device as used for locking two drawers of a desk;

Fig. 2 shows a different way of using the locking device to lock two drawers such as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows the locking device as applied to the drawer of a diiierent type of desk;

Fig. 4 shows how the locking device is used to lock an ordinary swinging door;

Fig. 5 is a view of the look from the closure plate end, showing also a section of the locking bar;

Fig. 6 is a view of the lock in the same position as in Fig. 5, with the closure plate removed;

Fig. '7 is a View similar to Fig. 6, with the looking bar removed; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the lock and key.

The parts are shown actual size in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, and in Fig. 8, and are somewhat enlarged in Figs. 6 and '7.

Referring to the drawing, the complete locking device comprises a lock 2, a locking bar 4, and a plate 6, all cooperating as shown, for example, in Fig. 1, or in Figs. 2 and 3. The construction of these parts will be described first, after which the various ways of using the looking device will be explained.

The lock 2 comprises a main cylindrical portion or barrel and an enlarged end or head 1, as seen in Fig. 8, for example. The head '1 is round like the barrel, except for a flat portion l2 on one side.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and '7, it will be seen that the head I is recessed at I3 and M to provide a seat for the closure plate 8, Figs. 5 and 8. This recess is of the same depth as the thickness of the closure plate so that when the plate is in position, it will be flush with the end of the head 1, as shown particularly in Fig. 8. The closure 1937, Serial No. 171,198

plate is retained in position by the three studs 9, l0, and H, which are fixed in the head I, and

. the ends of which are enlarged or upset in countersunk holes in the closure plate.

Figs. 6 and 7 also show clearly a somewhat deeper recess it: which extends clear across the head I from the flat side 52 to the opposite side. The depth of the recess 15 below the bottom of recess I3--l4 is the same or slightly greater than the thickness of the locking bar 4, so that when the closure plate 8 is in position,'the locking bar may readily be inserted. The width of recess I5 is, of course, slightly greater than the width of the locking bar. This recess therefore provides a channel clear through the head '1, as seen clearly in Fig. 8, through which the looking bar may be passed.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 7, it will be seen that there is a still deeper recess 15, the

bottom of which is flush with the end of the lock .4

cylinder I8. This cylinder is of known construction and may be rotated in the direction of the arrow by a key. On the inner end of the cylinder is fixed a stud 23 which serves 'to attach to the cylinder a cam 11. This cam has a central countersunkhole and is secured by upsetting the end of stud 23 by a riveting operation. The cam ll lies partly in the recess l6 and its surface is flush with or slightly below the bottom of recess l5, so that it does not interfere with the insertion of the locking bar 4. This cam provides for operating the pawl or detent l9, as will be explained, and also has the function of retaining the cylinder l8 within the barrel of the lock, which it performs by its overlapping engagement with the bottom of the recess l6.

Intersecting the recess i5 is a small semicylindrical recess 20, which is provided to receive the end of pawl l9. This pawl has one end bent in the form of a circle, which fits closely within the recess 20. The pawl I9 is held in position by the closure plate 8 when the latter is in position. This arrangement affords a very cheap but substantial method of pivotally mounting the pawl without the use of a pivot pin. The free end of the pawl is forced downward, as seen in Fig. 7, by a spiral spring 2|, which is located in another recess 22. Like the pawl 19, this spring is retained by the closure plate 8. The width of the pawl 19 is only slightly less than the depth of re-. cesses l5 and I6 together, from which it will be seen that the free end may be engaged not only by the cam H but also by the locking bar 4 when the latter is inserted in the channel formed by recess l5. When the locking bar is not in place,

the pawl H! can be seen through this channel, as shown in Fig. 8.

The locking bar 4 is shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inelusive, as viewed edgewise; Fig. 4 shows it in section, while it is seen from the flat side in Figs. 5 and 6. As thus illustrated, it comprises a fiat bar or strip of steel having a hook portion 5 at one end and provided with teeth or serrations along both edges. The end opposite the hook 5 is adapted to enter the channel formed in the lock 2 between the closure plate 8 and the bottom of the recess l5. When the bar is passed into this channel, or in other words, when the lock 2 is slipped onto the bar, the end of pawl l9 rides over the teeth in the adjacent edge, spring 2! yielding to permit the end of the pawl to rise as each tooth passes under it. The action will be obvious from Fig. 6. Withdrawal of the lock 2 from the bar at any point is, of course, prevented by the engagement of the pawl with the then adjacent tooth. In order to remove the lock, the key is inserted as shown in Fig. 8, and the cylinder i8 is turned in the direction of the arrow, Fig. '7. Rotation of the cylinder causes cam I! to engage the, pawl just below the locking bar and lift the free end out of the path of the teeth in the locking bar.

The plate 6 is shown edgewise in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, and from the flat side in Fig. 4. It may be made of steel, and is slotted at 25 and 26. These slots are of the proper size to admit the locking bar 4.

Reference may now be made to Fig. 1, which shows how the locking device is used tolock two adjacent drawers of a desk. In this figure only a part of each drawer and the intervening frame construction is shown. The ends of the drawers are shown in section at 30 and 3!. The reference character 32 indicates the bottom of the upper drawer, while 33 indicates a transverse frame member extending across the drawer opening between the two drawers. The desk selected for illustration has a steel frame and drawers of wood.

In order to attach the locking device, the lower drawer is first pulled out a few inches, or enough so that the locking bar can be inserted. The bar is inserted with the hook 5 toward the drawer and the hook is engaged with the transverse member 33 at its rear edge, as shown in the drawing, Fig. 1. While the bar is held in this position with one hand the lower drawer is closed. Desk drawers seldom fit tight and consequently there is generally space enough between the top of the drawer and the lower side of the frame member such as 33 to afford room for the relatively thin locking bar. The plate 6 is now slipped onto the locking bar, followed by the lock 2, the latter with its flat surface 12 toward the plate 6. The end of the bar 4 is now pulled forward with one hand while the lock 2 is pressed tightly up against the plate 6 as far as it will go, the plate being pressed against the front of the drawers, as shown in the drawing. The pawl 19 in the lock 2 slides readily over the teeth in the looking bar when the lock is put on, but instantly engages the then adjacent tooth when the lock is attempted to be withdrawn. It will be seen therefore that both drawers are securely locked.

It will be appreciated that since the locking The plate 6 can also be reversed'if tion in which it is shown in Fig. 1, using the opening 26 rather than the opening 25. It may in fact be necessary to employ the plate in this position because of a handle or other projection on the face of the lower drawer. The locking 5 device is preferably attached near the centre of drawer, although this is not essential.

In order to unlock the drawers, the key is inserted in the lock and the cylinder is rotated to disengage the pawl 19 by means of cam IT, as 10 previously explained. The lock 2 can then be removed, also the plate 6, which permits the drawers to be opened.

Fig. 2 shows a different way of applying the locking device to the same drawers. As shown 15 here, the locking bar 4 is inserted between the bottom of the upper drawer and the frame. The

upper drawer is first pulled out part way, then the locking bar is inserted in the position shown in the drawing and the hook portion 5 is en- 20 gaged with the member 33. The drawer'is then closed, and the plate 5 and lock 2 are slipped onto the locking bar, as previously described. -The lock and plate may be used in the position shown in the drawing, or either or both of them may be. 25 reversed.

If it is desired to lock only one drawer, then the plate 6 is not used, at least not with such a desk as is indicated in Figs. 1 and 2. Explaining this briefly, it will be seen, with reference toq-ao Fig. 1, that if the plate 6 is omitted, and if the look 2 is pressed up tightly against the front-3l of the lower drawer, this lower drawer will be locked, but the one above will not. In Fig.2, if the plate 6 is omitted, the upper drawer only u will be locked. Thus the. device can be used to lock either of two adjacent drawers separately or both at the same time. It may be mentioned here that the lock 2 is constructedwith a very short projection to one side of the locking bar (the thickness of the closure plate 8) not onlyto permit of locking an intermediate drawer sepa rately, but also to permit locking of adrawer such as the usual center desk drawer, the top of which may be close underneath the overhanging-, top of the desk.

In Fig. 3, the desk is of a different construction. The frame is of wood and includes the transverse member 3'1. The drawers are also ofawood and each drawer has an ornamental panelinfront such as 36. The locking device is attached as shown in the drawing, which will be readilyunderstood in view of the explanation already. given. It will be seen that the plate 6 performs asomewhat different function here, actingv as. a. bridge between the front of framememben 3! and the panel 36 on the drawer. Without the plate it would be impossible to lock the drawer satisfactorily, as the lower end of the lock 2 would be pressed against the upper edge of the panel 36 which would be liable to mar the panel and would a not be good mechanically. The increased effectiveness gained by the use of the plate 6 will be clear, therefore.

Referring now to Fig. 4, this drawing shows how the locking device is used to lock an ordinary swinging door, and illustrates another special .-use for the plate 6. The door is indicated at and the knob or handle at H. The knob 4| controls the bolt 42 in the .usual manner. .Apart of..the trim surrounding the door frame or casing-43.is indicated at 44. The casing 43 isprovided with the usual countersunk striker plate having-1 an opening therein for the bolt 42, and beneath-this opening is theusual opening for theLkey-con-gm;

trolled locking bolt. The latter is assumed to be in non-locking position, and it may be further assumed that the lock is damaged or the key is lost.

In order to attach the locking device, the hook 5 of the locking bar 4 is inserted in the locking bolt opening in the striker plate, as indicated in dotted lines, while the door 40 is open. The dooris then closed, the plate 6 is slipped onto the locking bar as shown, and then the lock 2 is'applied. The latter is omitted from the drawing to avoid obscuring the other parts. The locking device will now be effective to securely lock the door 40 and prevent opening thereof.

In further explanation, it may be pointed out that if the space between the edge of the door 40 and the casing 43 is not too great, the door may be satisfactorily locked without using plate 6. Very often, however, there is considerable space here, even more than is shown in the drawing, perhaps, which results in loose fitting of the locking bar and a more or less ineffectual locking from a mechanical standpoint. In this situation advantage is taken of the fact that the trim such as 44 is usually set back about or A; of an inch from the inside surface of the casing such as 43, which enables the plate 6 to function to eliminate the play, or most of it, by means of a bearing on the casing and also a bearing against the edge of the trim. Thus, as shown in the drawing, the right hand edge of the plate is against the edge of the trim 44, which holds the locking bar 4 against the edge of the door 40. In case the space between the door and casing is greater than is shown, or if the trim is set back farther, the plate 6 is rotated 90 and the opening 25 is used for the locking bar instead of opening 26. The opening 25 is located farther from the edge of the plate. Other openings spaced at different distances from the edge could be provided, but it .has been found that the two shown are sufiicient for most situations.

The locking device may also be used as an auxiliary lock in a case where the usual door lock is in working order but additional security is desired. It may be assumed, for instance, that a duplicate key has disappeared, giving rise to the suspicion that it may be in the possession of some unauthorized person. In such a case the door may be locked in the usual manner, and in addition the locking device of the invention may be applied to protect against entrance by a person able to open the usual lock.

In order to attach the lock under these circumstances, the hook 5 of the locking bar 4 is inserted in the opening in the striker plate which is provided to receive the latch 42, instead of in the locking bolt opening. The door is then closed, and the plate 6 and lock 2 are applied as previously explained. The usual door lock may also be locked with a key, as the hook 5 of the locking bar has been inserted in the latch opening rather than in the locking bolt opening. Thus a double protection is secured, the door being locked in the usual way and also by means of the locking device applied in the manner described.

While a number of different ways of using the locking device have been shown and described, these examples are to be considered merely as illustrative of its varied utility, and it will be appreciated that it can be used to advantage in many other situations. If necessary to adapt the locking device to a particular use, the plate 6 may be made of a different size, or of a different shape; and if necessary, the locking bar 4 may also be modified. When used for locking the sliding doors of a show-case, for instance, the locking bar 4 may be provided with a clamp! in place of the hook 5. In other cases it may be so formed that the hook portion 5 forms a right angle with the main portion of thebar, although the shape shown is of more general utility, and is of greater strength than the other form. Of course, several different plates and locking bars may be furnished with the look if desired, but the ones shown herein will generally be all that are needed.

It will be seen, therefore, that I have provided a highly efiicient locking device which can be manufactured at low cost and which has a wide field of usefulness in view of its adaptability to many different situations where a device of this kind is required. The invention is not necessarily limited to the exact disclosure, but modifications may be made as explained herein and as dictated by conditions under which the device is to be used; and I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the precise construction shown, but desire to include and have protected by Letters Patent all forms and modifications of the invention that come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: v

1. In a locking device for drawers, doors, and the like, a locking b-ar adapted to be inserted between a drawer or door and the adjacent frame, said bar having means to engage said frame to prevent the bar from being withdrawn, a plate having its length and width of different dimensions and provided with a plurality of non-intersecting perforations to admit of its being slipped onto said bar in different positions, said perforations being located parallel to and at different distances from the long and short edges of the plate, respectively, the shape of said plate and the location of said perforations adapting the plate to use with different types of drawers or doors, and locking means adapted to be applied to said bar to prevent removal of the said plate after it is placed in position on said bar.

2. In a look, a cylindrical barrel formed in one piece and enlarged at one end, the enlarged portion of said barrel being flattened on one side, there being a recess formed at the end of said enlarged portion which extends from said fiattened side to the opposite side, a closure plate, a shallow recess superimposed on said first mentioned recess and forming a seat for said closure plate, and means for retaining said plate in said seat, said plate and said first mentioned recess forming a channel for admission of a locking bar.

3. In a look, a one-piece cylindrical barrel, a channel extending transversely through said barrel at one end thereof and adapted to receive a toothed locking bar, said channel including a recess formed in the end of the barrel, there being a second recess forming a space adjacent said channel at one side thereof, a pawl located in said space and adapted to engage the teeth of said bar, said pawl having a rounded end portion, and a circular recess offset from said space adapted to receive the rounded end of said pawl and act as a pivot.

4. In a look, a one-piece cylindrical barrel, a transverse slot formed in the end of said barrel, a closure plate at the end of said barrel for covering said slot and cooperating therewith to form a channel through said barrel, a recess forming an enlargement of said slot at one side thereof, said recess having branch recesses intersecting therewith, a pawl and spring retained in said branch recesses, respectively, by said closure plate, said pawl having its free end in said channel, and a toothed locking bar adapted to be inserted in said channel and to be retained therein by said pawl.

5. In a look, a one-piece cylindrical barrel, a channel extending transversely through one end of said barrel, a toothed locking bar adapted for insertion in said channel, a cylinder mounted for rotation inside said barrel, a cam supported on said cylinder, and a pawl contained in said barrel, the free end of said pawl lying partly in the plane of said bar and partly in the plane of said cam, whereby the said free end is operatively associated with the teeth in the bar and also with said cam, said pawl comprising a metal strip having one end bent in a circle and located in a circular recess in said barrel.

'6. In a look, a one piece cylindrical barrel having a central opening extending axially through it from end to end, a cylinder rotatably mounted in said opening, a cam eccentrically mounted on the end of said cylinder and overlapping said opening whereby it retains said cylinder in said barrel, a channel extending transversely through said barrel adjacent said cam, a toothed locking bar adapted to slide into said channel, and a pawl contained in said barrel and adapted to engage the teeth on said bar and 'to be disengaged therefrom by said cam, said pawl comprising a metal strip having one end partly in the plane of said bar and partly in the plane of said cam and having the other end pivoted in a recess in said barrel.

7. In a locking device, a one-piece cylindrical barrel having an enlarged head portion which is flattened on one side to form a flat surface which merges into the cylindrical outside wall of the barrel, a recess formed in said head and extending from the flattened side thereof to the opposite side, a shallow recess superimposed on said first mentioned recess, -a closure plate seated in said shallow recess and cooperating with said first recess to form a channel for a toothed locking bar, a third recess partly beneath said channel, a pawl in said third recess and having its free end located partly in said channel for engagement with the teeth of said locking bar, a cylinder mounted in a central opening extending through said barrel, and a cam secured to the inner end of said cylinder, said cam being located in said third,

recess where it engages a portion of the free end of said pawl and overlapping said opening to retain the said cylinder in the barrel.

8. In a locking device, a one-piece cylindrical barrel having an enlarged head portion which is flattened on one side to form a flat surface which merges into the cylindrical outside wall of the barrel, a recess formed in said head and extending from the flattened side thereof to the opposite side, a shallow recess superimposed on said first mentioned recess, a closure plate seated in said shallow recess and cooperating with said first recess to form a channel for a toothed locking bar, a third and deeper recess intersecting said first mentioned recess and also intersecting the second recess to one side of said channel, where said third recess is provided with branch recesses, a pawl having a rounded end cooperating with one of said branch recesses to form a pivot for the pawl, the free end of said pawl lying partly in I bar.

EMANUEL H. WHITE. 

